Yaounde, Cameroon: Cameroon is once again undertaking a national census—an activity authorities say occurs every 10 years. If that claim holds, it means the last census was conducted in 2016, just before the political and armed conflict in Southern Cameroons escalated and before the territory declared itself independent as Ambazonia. On paper, a census is a routine administrative exercise. It is meant to count people, measure growth, and help governments plan for economic development, infrastructure, and social services. But in reality—especially in a conflict zone—nothing is routine. In Southern Cameroons today, this census should not just be a statistical exercise;…
Author: Martin Akuma
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While the public gallery in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, was on Monday packed to the brim with members of the legal fraternity, the country’s top legal minds present to present their legal arguments in the legal challenge against and for the BEE Legal Sector Code (LSC), the formal arguments will only start on Tuesday.The legal challenge, brought by four of the country’s biggest law firms – Deneys-Reitz (earlier know as Norton Rose Fulbright), Webber Wentzel, Werkmans and Bowmans, which will take a look at transformation in the legal profession, has been set down for the entire week.The proceedings only…
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has emphasised that the transformation of the legal sector remains integral to sustaining South Africa’s democracy.On Monday, the Minister met with legal practitioners in a stakeholder engagement as part of government’s efforts to strengthen collaboration and advance transformation within the legal sector.The Minister, who gave her remarks after the stakeholders had their say, noted that the session highlighted that there remain pockets of “resistance” to transformation in the sector. “Most studies have indicated that the transformation of the legal profession is facing resistance by established players who have benefited from the status…
South Africa has been the world’s most economically unequal country for more than three decades. Aitor Diago/ Getty Images Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Source link
Plan of action: Exclusion in South Africa was historically engineered through law, policy and institutional design. Undoing that legacy inevitably requires deliberate intervention. Photo: Supplied The challenge to the Legal Sector Code before the Gauteng division of the high court of South Africa is about far more than ownership targets, regulatory design or technical compliance with broad-based black economic empowerment legislation. At its core, the matter forces South Africa to confront a difficult but unavoidable question: Nearly three decades into democracy, has the legal profession transformed meaningfully or merely cosmetically? The answer is uncomfortable. The litigation brought by some of…
In late 2024, the government introduced a new B-BBEE code for the legal sector, setting a target of 50% black ownership of large firms within five years, with 25% black women. A challenge to that code brought by Deneys, Webber Wentzel, Werksmans and Bowmans will be heard in Pretoria’s High Court on Monday. Four of South Africa’s top law firms are suing the government over new black employment and ownership targets aimed at undoing decades of racial injustice, calling them “irrational” and saying the timeline is unrealistic given the expertise required.The case comes amid scrutiny of affirmative action policies…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes today’s very serious judgment of the Constitutional Court in the Phala Phala / Section 89 matter. We respect the Constitutional Court, the Constitution, and the rule of law. The Court has now made clear that Parliament must correct its rules, and that the Section 89 report must proceed to an impeachment committee. This is a grave moment for Parliament, for the Presidency, and for South Africa’s constitutional democracy. The DA will participate fully and constructively in the impeachment committee. We will be guided by the facts, by the evidence placed before the committee, and by…
South Africa will host the 17th Africa Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition next week. The Chief Director of Space Affairs at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Africa Regional Coordinator for the competition, Nomfuneko Majaja, said the continued growth of the initiative reflects the continent’s determination to position itself at the centre of shaping global space governance, particularly in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, resource management, and water security. “As we host the 17th African Regional Round, we are not merely convening a moot court…
By Nellie PeytonThe case comes amid scrutiny of affirmative action policies – which aim to tackle the disadvantages that white-minority rule inflicted on the country’s non-white majority – partly fuelled by criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and South African‑born billionaire Elon Musk.Underlying the court action – which aims to force the government to scrap the new targets – are tensions between some Black lawyers and the companies.Ex-employees at two of the four have brought discrimination cases against them which the firms intend to defend. The firms declined to comment on individual suits.The legal profession, like much of corporate South…
Tensions have emerged at the National Assembly’s Rules Subcommittee meeting after the Democratic Alliance (DA) raised concerns over alleged meetings between Speaker Thoko Didiza and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legal advisers during discussions on the impeachment process. DA Parliamentary leader, George Michalakis, has questioned whether Didiza should recuse herself from the Phala Phala impeachment process amid reports she met with Ramaphosa’s legal team. “There were quite a few widespread reports that the speaker had met with the legal advisors of the president. In my opinion, if that is true, it would taint the whole process, and she might have to be, or might have to recuse herself, to protect the integrity of the process. What would be…